Published 12:00 am, Thursday, June 23, 2011

MIDDLETOWN - They came from 16 different countries, but the 20 people who went to City Hall on Thursday afternoon for a naturalization ceremony all emerged as brand-new Americans.

The annual ceremony, hosted by the city of Middletown and Russell Library, welcomes immigrants throughout Connecticut to take their oath of allegiance before a judge, the final step in the country's naturalization process.

In the oath, the new citizens agreed to renounce their allegiances to their birth countries - Bosnia-Herzogovina, Brazil, Burma, China, Colombia, Ethiopia, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru, Poland, Russia, South Korea, St. Lucia, Ukraine, and Vietnam - and swear their loyalty to the U.S.

Stefan Underhill, a judge at the United States District Court, led the short ceremony. Before leading the 20 immigratns through the oath of allegiance, Underhill offered some thoughts and advice about being a U.S. citizen.

By taking the citizenship oath, Underhill said, the new citizens would agree to "support and defend the constitution," and to serve the country, in the military or as a civilian, when required by law.

Still, Underhill urged the citizens to look for ways to improve the country, even if it means going against what other people are doing.

"Never shy away from questioning what your government is doing," Underhill said.

"Treat this day like a birthday or an anniversary," he said. "Do what you can to make this day something you'll always cherish."

Most of the new citizens brought family and friends to celebrate the occasion, and many said they were thrilled to have completed the process.

"I'm so excited," said a smiling Xochipilli McCarthy, who came from Mexico seven years ago. "I feel like I'm a new person." McCarthy, who lives in Bristol with her American husband, said she was surprised with how quick the citizenship process was for her.

Janina Mikolajczak, from Poland, said she was "very excited." "I have two sons here," she said. "It is good, very good."

Mayor Sebastian Giuliano also addressed the new citizens, explaining that they had many opportunities available tot hem. When his grandparents arrived from Italy in 1930, he said, no one would have believed that their grandson would one day be mayor. "But here I sit," he said.

"Welcome, and I mean welcome in every sense of the word," Giuliano added.

Richard Palmer, a justice on the Connecticut Supreme Court, outlined to the new citizens the way the state's judicial system works. He said that while most of the audience probably hoped never to have to deal too extensively with the courts, the new citizens might be called for jury duty, or might get a traffic ticket they wanted to fight.

"Please remember that our courts are there to serve you, the public, and we try to make them as accessible and friendly as possible," he said.

Deputy Secretary of State James Spallone also addressed the crowd, urging them to complete their voter registration and to vote in every election. To make that process easier, registrars of voters were waiting outside to help the new Americans sign up.

"Remember how important your vote is," he said, reminding them about how some elections, including the 2000 presidential election, were decided by only a few hundred, or even fewer, votes.

Spallone pointed out that the state's motto, Qui Transtulit Sustinet, translates as "He - or, we'll update it, she - who transplants is sustained." Most people in Connecticut are descended from immigrants, he said, and the new Americans he greeted on Thursday were adding to that tradition.

Russell Library director Arthur Meyers explained that he started organizing the ceremony 12 years ago. Meyers explained that he and his wife are both the children of immigrants.

"We appreciate what our citizenship means," he said.

For some of the newly minted citizens, the citizenship meant achieving something they've been working for for decades.

"I'm so greatly happy," said Gibbs White of Hartford, who moved to the U.S. from Jamaica 20 years ago. "For 20 years I worked to be a U.S. citizen. A long time. I can't tell you how happy I am."

Claire Michalewicz can be reached by email at cmichalewicz@middletownpress.com. Text MIDNEWS to 22700 to get news alerts directly to your cell phone. Standard messaging and data rates apply.